TV Tuesday: The 54th Grammys

I did not sit through the entire telecast of the 54th Grammy Awards ceremony. I did tune in long enough to see LL Cool J call Taylor Swift his “Around the Way Girl” – which was totally awesome. And then I had to explain to my parents what an “Around the Way Girl” was, which is harder than you might think.

The prayer and tribute to Whitney Houston at the beginning was nice. They kept it respectful without going completely over the top – not something you can always expect out of the music industry. I watched most of the performances either last night or caught up with them today online. Overall, I would say it was a pretty successful show.

Grammy Predictions – How Did I Do?

I’m not a huge music buff (despite my killer Album Club cred), but I didn’t do too bad. I only picked winners in six categories, but I managed to go 4 for 6. My biggest mistake was underestimating the power of Adele.

For the two I missed, I absolutely should have gone with Adele again for Song of the Year, but I had to pay tribute to my hip-hop loving core. For Best Duo, I wasn’t entirely familiar with all the songs, so I just picked my favorite (and ignored the posthumous effect). In hindsight, both choices seem so clear. But what are you going to do?

Record of the Year

My Pick: Rolling in the Deep – Adele
The Winner: Rolling in the Deep – Adele

Album of the Year

My Pick: 21 – Adele
The Winner: 21 – Adele

Song of the Year

My Pick: All of the Lights – Jeff Bhasker, Stacy Ferguson, Malik Jones, Warren Trotter & Kanye West, songwriters (Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi & Fergie)
The Winner: Rolling in The Deep – Adele Adkins & Paul Epworth, songwriters (Adele)

Best New Artist

My Pick: Bon Iver
The Winner: Bon Iver

Best Pop Solo Performance

My Pick: Someone Like You – Adele (Track from: 21)
The Winner: Someone Like You – Adele (Track from: 21)

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

My Pick: Pumped Up Kicks – Foster The People (Track from: Torches)
The Winner: Body And Soul – Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse (Track from: Duets II)

Grammy Performances

• Adele was Adele. She always brings it.
• I am not a huge Bruno Mars fan (mentioned numerous times in the previously-linked post), but his set was hot. He pulled off that big band Motown swagger and I liked it.
• I like Coldplay. I love Rhianna. But damn. That was not so great.
• What the hell, Nicki Minaj? I love you, but I don’t even know what the eff that was. When Lady Gaga starts making more sense, you’ve got a problem.
• I know a lot of people thought the Whitney Houston cover by Jennifer Hudson was too soon, but I think it was great. Hudson did a nice job and she didn’t try to sound just like Whitney. It was a tribute, not an impersonation. She kept it classy and I think most people recognize and appreciate that.
• The Beach Boys, Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney are getting old.
• Chris Brown. I don’t know exactly how I feel about this. I do think people can change. And that’s coming from someone who knows more than she ever wanted to know about domestic violence. So if Rhianna can forgive him, that’s enough for me. But this made me sick. So… yeah.

TV Tuesday: Mad Men

I had never seen an episode of Mad Men. Until last week.

I’m half-way through the first season of Mad Men and (almost) the only thing I have to say is: WOW. This show is good. Damn good.

The writing is fantastic. The costumes and sets are delicious. The acting is wonderful. I’m obsessed with Joan. I finally understand why this show gets so much hype. And I’m more than glad to find out said hype is well-deserved.

If you’re like me and have never seen it: watch it immediately, because you’re in for a treat. If you’ve already been watching for years: I get it.  

TV Tuesday: American Horror Story

Don’t worry. I’ll get bored with alliteration soon.

My latest television-based obsession is FX’s American Horror Story. Have you seen this show? It is the weirdest, creepiest thing I think I’ve ever seen on TV. And as someone who routinely roots out weird, creepy stuff to watch that’s really saying something.

I don’t even know how to begin to describe this show. Ostensibly, it’s about a family of three who move into a house with a tumultuous past. The realtor did disclose a murder that occurred there – but only the most recent one. Through a series of flashbacks, visions and visits from the creepy neighbors, the viewer learns a little bit more about the house each week.

The cast is fantastic. Dylan McD. is looking smoking hot. Taissa Farmiga (Vera’s little sister) is awesome. And Jessica Lange is at her kooky, off-kilter best. She’s 62 and looks amazing. Seriously. She looks better at 62 than I do at 35. Connie Britton, Frances Conroy and Alexandra Breckenridge are also great.

Episode 4 airs tomorrow, but there’s still time to get caught up online. Episode 1 and 2 are available for free viewing on Hulu. Episode 3 will air on FX tonight at 11pm. (Of course, if you’re a bit clever and a bit less law-abiding, you can also find the show elsewhere.)

Please watch and get hooked along with me!